Beliefs are what define human beings not as a society, but as individuals. Individualism is an important part of Transcendentalism, a movement that began in the mid-nineteenth century led by figures such as Henry David Thoreau and Ralph Waldo Emerson. Into the Wild, written in 1997 by Jon Krakauer, is a modern novel examining a young adult transcendentalist. That young man is Chris McCandless, who leaves his family at age 23 to live the transcendentalist dream. He hitchhikes and travels across many rivers and cities to get to Alaska, the place where he believes he can finally realize that dream. Transcendentalism is the idea that humans are innately one with nature, and therefore with God, and that nature is the only place where humans belong because society is poisonous. By having fun and connecting with God through the environment in an isolated location, Chris McCandless proves himself to be a faithful transcendentalist. Since he is a true believer, Chris McCandless is a very spiritual person. Although he never claims to be part of a specific religion, he believes in a divine presence; an important part of being a transcendentalist. At the end of the book, when Chris is close to his inevitable demise, he writes a suicide note to whoever finds his body. In his final note, he is very elated and not at all regretful about his decision to venture into the Alaskan bush: “I HAVE HAD A HAPPY LIFE AND I THANK THE LORD. GOODBYE AND MAY GOD BLESS ALL!” (199). Since he said he has had a happy life and thanks the Lord, it is clear that Chris values ​​the spirituality within Transcendentalism. It takes true dedication and appreciation in Chris's final moment to write about spirituality, which is why he included......middle of the paper...simple devotee. Due to some traits displayed by Chris, he is representative of the true meaning of Transcendentalism. For example, he is always enchanted by nature and seeks its unlimited freedom wherever it is. He also sees it as a place of rebirth, a way to escape his old life and start over. Furthermore, he has no need for other people, because he has nature closer to his heart than any other human he knows. He ultimately finds spirituality in the wilderness, as he directs all his positive feelings toward a tangible image of a higher power. All these reasons support the fact that Chris is a true believer. Because Chris loves being in nature, derives spiritual meaning from it, and sees it as a place of rebirth, he is a great example of transcendentalism. Work cited Krakauer, Jon. In the wild nature. New York: Anchor Books, 1997. Print.